March 2026 OneJA Newsletter
Photo from JA Uganda.
LETTER FROM THE CEO
Dear colleagues,
This month’s CEO letter is a bit more data-rich than usual. I am sharing the latest insights from across the JA network so that colleagues everywhere can see the progress we are making together, as well as the opportunities still ahead . . .
STAFF ACTION ITEMS
JOIN THE NEXT GLOBAL TOWN HALL
Join the next JA Global Town Hall on March 31, 2026, at 9amEDT/3pmCEST/9pmHKT. If you previously registered for a JA Global Town Hall, you do not need to register again. If you have not yet registered or attended a previous town hall, sign up for the March session on OneJA.
The session will bring the JA network together for key updates and shared learning across regions. Attendees will hear opening remarks and join in recognizing GLC Award winners and Regional Alumni Champions. The town hall will also include a look at the 2026 brand update, insights and takeaways from the World Economic Forum, and an update on the OneJA campaign. The session will highlight upcoming network opportunities and close with a live Q&A.
CONNECT ACROSS THE NETWORK: JA GO BEGINS APRIL 9
If you’ve joined JA within the past two years and want to better understand how our global network comes together, JA Global Orientation (JA GO) is your next step. The new cohort launches April 9 and runs through May 5, meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9amEDT/3pmCEST/9pmHKT. Limited to 50 staff members, this experience combines live Zoom sessions with flexible, asynchronous learning designed to fit into your schedule while keeping you engaged.
JA GO offers a practical look at how JA operates and grows across regions. You’ll explore our strategy to reach 100 million learning experiences per year by 2050, learn more about our core programs, and hear how teams are adapting and innovating in different markets. Along the way, you’ll connect with peers from around the world, exchange ideas, and strengthen your role within the network.
Complete the program requirements and you’ll earn a credential and LinkedIn badge, along with opportunities to stay connected beyond the cohort. Ready to get started? Sign up on OneJA.
SKILL UP AT THE WILD LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL IMPACT FORUM
Secure your spot for the 2026 online Leadership for Social Impact Forum, hosted by the WILD Network, on May 12–13, 2026. This global event brings together more than 1,000 leaders from 100 countries across 25 time zones to explore the realities of leading in today’s social impact landscape, from navigating AI disruption and funding shifts to scaling programs and developing future leaders. Through interactive workshops, plenaries, and a MentorMatch platform, participants will connect with peers across sectors and career stages while gaining practical insights for intentional leadership. To secure your free ticket, register online and use the code JATEAM at checkout. Spots are limited; so register today.
NOMINATE LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS FOR THE GLOBAL BUSINESS HALL OF FAME
When you nominate an inspiring leader from your JA location for the Global Business Hall of Fame—which honors the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs and business leaders—you put your country on a global stage.
This year, JA offices qualify for JA FastTrack: an easier path for Global Business Hall of Fame referals. Just submit three details, and you’re done. It takes five minutes to elevate a local entrepreneur, open doors with influential executives, and pave the way for global recognition of your JA location. 2026 referrals are now open to the network on OneJA.
EXPLORE THE 2026 BRAND GUIDELINES
The 2026 update to the JA Brand Guidelines is now available on OneJA, with both a downloadable PDF and a new web version you can view in your preferred language. This release introduces new design elements, refreshed templates, updated global messaging and data, and an enhanced “This Is JA” PowerPoint deck to help you build compelling materials faster and more consistently, while keeping the JA brand fresh, relevant, and dynamic.
Remember to use the templates and examples as a creative starting point, not a fixed guide. Dive in, pull what you need, and make it your own as you create or refresh materials for the year ahead.
FURTHER CUSTOMIZE THE JA CUSTOM FONTS: WHAT ADDITIONAL LETTERS DO YOU NEED?
We’ve heard your feedback: Our JA custom fonts lean heavily on English characters of the Latin alphabet, and you need additional characters. Going forward, once a year, we’ll be adding new characters, such as ø, å, ë, æ, and more to better reflect the needs of our global network.
You can request additional characters year-round, but we’ll implement updates just once per year due to the complexity of font development. (Each new character that we add requires rebuilding and exporting the entire font set, so it’s a time-consuming process.) For this year's update in May please submit your request by April 15 by completing the form on OneJA.
CHECK OUT THE JA CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS GUIDELINES
JA's Crisis Communications Guidelines offer a clear, practical framework to support JA locations, the six regional operating centers, and JA Worldwide in responding effectively. The guidance balances local decision-making with consistent protocols and messaging, helping ensure we communicate with clarity and confidence when it matters most. Whether you work in communications, lead a JA location, or support operations in any capacity, it’s worth taking a few minutes to review these resources so you know where to turn if a crisis arises. Find the guidelines on OneJA.
ENROLL YOUR INTERNS IN A NEW GLOBAL JA EXPERIENCE
Are you hosting interns this year? JA Worldwide is launching a new pilot program to inspire, connect, and support interns across the JA network, and we’d love for yours to be part of it. Through a series of live Zoom sessions, interns will connect with peers from JA organizations around the world, hear from JA alumni and global leaders, and build a lasting sense of connection to the JA community beyond their internship. This is a lightweight, high-quality experience designed to add value during a busy time of year, with minimal administrative lift for your team. To register your interns or learn more, reach out to Sarah Rapp by the end of April.
JOIN THE "INSIDE THE INSTITUTE" WEBINAR TO LEARN ABOUT THE OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK
We’re excited to invite you to "Inside the Institute,"a quarterly session designed to keep you connected with the work of The JA Institute and our progress on Impact Intelligence. Held three times a year directly after the JA Global Town Hall, this one-hour session blends updates, insights, and your voices. You’ll hear the latest on The JA Institute’s strategic priorities, dive into a spotlight initiative, and take part in interactive discussions that shape how we track and understand our global impact. Register today.
GLOBAL NEWS
SACKY JA WINS 2026 DE LA VEGA GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARD
Sacky JA from JA Ecuador is the 2026 De La Vega Global Entereprenership Award champion, marking the first time a student company from the Americas region has earned this honor in the JA network.
Competing against five other JA regional champions from JA Africa, JA Asia Pacific, JA Europe, INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, and Junior Achievement USA, Sacky JA secured the top spot with a collective demonstration of innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, and commitment to solving real-world challenges.
Missed the livestream? You can watch the full ceremony recording, meet all six finalists, and view their complete competition videos at jaworldwide.org/delavega.
HONORS ACROSS THE NETWORK: CELEBRATING JA LEADERS AROUND THE GLOBE
From classrooms to boardrooms, leaders across the JA network are helping young people build skills, confidence, and the mindset to succeed. Recently, several members of the global JA community received major honors recognizing their leadership and influence.
Learn more about Junior Achievement Italia CEO Miriam Cresta, Young Enterprise UK alumnus Ben Towers, JA Worldwide Global Council member Valerie Singer, JA Worldwide Board members Zabeen Hirji and Rebecca Winthrop, and Board Vice-Chair Pamela Maynard and their inspiring honors at jaworldwide.org/news/ja-leaders-honored.
SHARE INSPIRING CAREER ADVICE FOR GIRLS
Looking for career inspiration for the next generation of leaders? For International Women’s Day 2026 (earlier this month), we updated Shattering Glass, JA’s book of advice for girls and young women navigating their futures. Inside, JA leaders from around the world share lessons on confidence, resilience, and building a meaningful career.
Download the 2026 edition at jaworldwide.org/shattering-glass and pass it along to the future leaders in your life.
JA GLOBAL AI AMBASSADORS MOVE FROM EXPERIMENTATION TO IMPACT
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we learn, work, and solve problems. Across the JA network, a group of leaders is helping ensure JA students and educators are ready for what comes next.
The first cohort of JA Global AI Ambassadors brought together staff from around the world to explore how AI can strengthen learning experiences, spark innovation, and expand what’s possible for young people. Over the course of the initiative, these ambassadors tested tools, shared ideas across regions, and helped advance JA’s growing work in AI-powered education. Now the next phase begins. Read more.
YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS GATHER IN SEOUL FOR THE 2026 JA ASIA PACIFIC COMPANY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION
Young entrepreneurs from across Asia Pacific gathered in Seoul for the 2026 JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year Competition, hosted by JA Korea, the first regional competition of the year. Twenty-one JA student companies from 12 locations showcased bold ideas, real businesses, and the entrepreneurial mindset shaping the region’s future.
From trade fair booths to business pitches and judge interviews, JA students demonstrated innovation, resilience, and the skills they’ve built through the JA Company Program. Read more.
JA WORLDWIDE CONVENES SECOND "ROC STARS" COHORT
Across the JA network, progress happens because of people who step forward, solve problems, and support others. The 2026 JA Worldwide ROC Stars (a cohort of aspiring leaders from the six regional operating center offices and JA Worldwide) are doing exactly that by strengthening programs, partnerships, and opportunities for young people around the world.
Meet the 2026 JA Worldwide ROC Stars, a global group of leaders helping to advance JA’s mission in unique and impactful ways. Read more at jaworldwide.org/news/2026-roc-stars.
ALUMNI NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES
WATCH THE LATEST JA ALUMNI CLUBHOUSE RECORDING
The February 2026 JA Alumni Clubhouse brought together alumni and regional leaders from across the globe for the first session of the year. Hosted by JA Worldwide Alumni Community Manager Dana Khairallah, the session highlighted key global alumni updates, including the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award and progress on the Alumni Leaders Academy Global. Participants also met newly appointed regional alumni board members from Africa, Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the newly welcomed JA Canada alumni chapter. The Clubhouse continues to serve as a space for alumni to connect, share regional insights, and align on priorities for strengthening the global JA alumni community in 2026. Read the full recap and watch the recording on Gather.
REGIONAL UPDATES
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT USA
With recent headlines around the potential impact of AI on the employment prospects of young people, JA USA released findings from Ipsos showing that teens are optimistic about what AI will mean for their future careers, but they aren’t changing how they are approaching education to meet this new reality. In response, an Op-Ed from JA USA CEO Jack Harris lays out the need to rethink how we approach education to prepare for the anticipated paradigm shift in how we work.
JA AFRICA
Delta Air Lines, in partnership with Junior Achievement Africa, graduated 61 high-potential girls from the 2026 LEAD Camp in Accra from March 2–8, formally inducting them into the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) community. The third edition of the camp brought together participants from eight countries across Africa in recognition of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.” Through a week-long immersive experience, participants strengthened leadership, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, advocacy, and future-ready skills while engaging with corporate leaders, policymakers, and industry professionals. A highlight was the “Give to Gain” Social Impact Challenge, where cross-country teams developed solutions to real community issues and presented them at graduation. As members of 10MAG, participants will continue their leadership journeys with access to mentorship, scholarships, entrepreneurial pathways, and professional networks. Since its inception, LEAD Camp has reached more than 145 girls and continues to serve as a pan-African platform preparing young women to lead in their communities, industries, and policy spaces, reinforcing the partnership between Delta Air Lines and JA Africa to expand opportunities for girls across the continent. Read more.
Every breakthrough begins with a first. Across Africa, girls are becoming the first in their families to finish school, attend university, start businesses, and claim their place as leaders because someone chose to invest in their potential. On March 11, JA Africa launched the IAMFIRST Campaign, a fundraising and storytelling movement under the 10 Million African Girls (10MAG) initiative, aligned with this year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Give to Gain.” The campaign calls on the global JA community to help multiply these milestones, recognizing that while many girls still face barriers to education, economic opportunity, and leadership, meaningful progress comes through investment in their futures. Through 10MAG, JA Africa aims to empower 10 million African girls by 2050, and IAMFIRST invites supporters to share their own “first” stories, raise awareness, and contribute to expanding opportunities for the next generation. Read more.
JA AMERICAS
Preparing the next generation for the future of work is the goal of the Global Career Discovery Initiative in partnership with SAP. In the Americas, the program is implemented in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru, where thousands of young people participate in learning experiences that combine the development of employability skills, the identification of their strengths, and the exploration of diverse career pathways in high-demand sectors.
In 2025, the initiative reached over 8,870 graduates, with over 5,930 engaging in volunteer-led activities and over 2,840 psychometric assessments conducted. Over 145 SAP volunteers supported the program by sharing their career journeys and introducing participants to areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, and digital skills. These results reflect a tangible impact in preparing young people for their transition to higher education and employment.
A key differentiator of the program is the use of gamified psychometric assessments, developed together with Nawaiam, which enable young people to identify their strengths, interests, and work styles. Based on the analysis of 1,387 assessments across five countries, a consistent pattern has emerged: nearly 50% of participants demonstrate empathetic, collaborative, and team-oriented profiles. The data reveals a generation that values stability, purpose, and teamwork, with profiles that are particularly valuable in areas such as health, education, administrative management, operations, and services.
These findings challenge common stereotypes about youth and open up opportunities to design more relevant learning experiences. At the same time, they highlight the importance of continuing to strengthen skills such as leadership and decision-making, which are key to expanding young people’s development opportunities. Watch the testimonial
INJAZ AL-ARAB/JA MENA
INJAZ Al-Arab launches a new partnership with HSBC through Future Ready: Equipping MENA Youth with Essential Financial Skills, a regional initiative designed to address critical gaps in youth financial literacy across MENA. Delivered through a trilingual digital platform (English, Arabic, and French), the program offers eight interactive sessions covering key topics such as budgeting, financial planning, taxation, credit management, investing, and fintech. Combining AI-powered coaching, gamification, and mentorship from HSBC volunteers, the initiative creates an engaging and practical learning experience that equips young people with the skills and confidence to make informed financial decisions. Following a pilot phase in Algeria, Oman, Egypt, and the UAE, the program will expand across multiple markets, ultimately reaching over 1,500 youth and empowering a new generation of financially responsible individuals and future leaders.
JA EUROPE
The Official Virtual Opening of #Gen_E 2026 will mark the online kick-off of Europe’s largest entrepreneurship festival, taking place this year in Riga, Latvia. The session will offer a first look at the Virtual Expo and online awards, while bringing together special guests to launch the Gen_E 2026 journey. Join the virtual opening on April 23.
At the World Economic Forum’s Industry Strategy Meeting in Munich, JA Europe CEO Salvatore Nigro met with Dragoș Pîslaru, Romania’s Minister of Investments and European Projects, to discuss advancing entrepreneurial education. The meeting brought together over 300 global leaders exploring how AI is reshaping strategy, talent, and innovation, with JA Europe contributing its perspective on preparing youth for the future of work.
Salvatore also spoke at the European Employment and Social Forum in Brussels, alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Executive Vice President Roxana Mînzatu. Discussions focused on strengthening skills, mobility, and opportunities across Europe, with JA Europe highlighting the role of youth entrepreneurship in building a future-ready workforce. See Salvatore at the EU Social Forum.
JA ASIA PACIFIC
Senior JA leaders from 12 Asia Pacific locations gathered in Seoul for the JA Asia Pacific Senior Leadership Summit, a focused forum to align on innovation, impact, and regional priorities. The summit opened with JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani sharing JA’s growth and forecasts across the world, with a humble reminder that JA is a network of small teams. The JA Worldwide education team, represented by Stacie Fieth and Eliza Pavlidi, then led participants through a program innovation workshop, featuring upcoming AI learning experiences and discussions on development methodology and the standardized process for AI tools. These sessions highlighted how innovation and technology can strengthen learning experience quality and scalability.
The summit spotlighted JA Korea and JA Hong Kong SAR—China, which showcased market-relevant innovations, strong partnerships, and lessons that can be adapted across the region. The session “From Outputs to Outcomes” with JA Worldwide COO Caroline Jenner and JA Asia Pacific COO Kirk Kenny focused on impact intelligence, exploring how JA locations can move beyond activity reporting to deeper outcome measurement and data-driven decision-making. JA Asia Pacific’s new President and CEO, Vivek Kumar, dove into shaping regional plans, with input from JA Worldwide Chief Development Officer Leo Martellotto on inspiring generosity, Caroline Jenner on the JA Institute, and a dedicated focus on teacher engagement, reinforcing shared priorities for sustainable growth and impact. By the end, the summit has firmly established a collaborative energy of mutual support to uplift the region.